Eads avenges loss to Deer Trail in 6-man state semifinals

EADS, Colo. -- The Eads High School football team gained a measure of revenge in the Class A 6-man state semifinals.

The #3 seed Eagles defeated #2 Deer Trail, 56-12, to avenge their only loss of the season. Deer Trail had defeated Eads, 46-32, if the fifth game of the regular season on Sept. 29.

With a powerful showing in the semifinals, Eads (10-1) will put a six-game winning streak on the line against #1 and defending state champion Fleming for the 2012 6-Man championship game to be held in Fleming, on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m. The Wildcats are 11-0 on the season.

With Deer Trail getting the win over Eads during the regular season it just might have been the fuel the Eagles needed to add to their fire as they exploded all over the football field and dominated the game.

The first strike came at the hands of Taylor Weirich as he tackled Deer Trail's J.T. Pisel in the end zone for a safety.

The safety also gave Eads possession of the ball about mid-field on a run back by Weirich.

Behind the running of Cory Miller and Blaine Winder, Eads faced 4th down and inches and decided to go with their passing game when Tyler Rouse found Jose Ramos for 23 yards before he was tackled on the five yard line.

Winder then scored and Ramos was perfect with his kick on the extra point to give Eads a 10-0 lead.

Deer Trail would counter with a touchdown to bring the score to 10-6.

The visiting Eagles faced 4th down and and long when Pisel was back to punt.

As Eads defenders were fast approaching the punter it became a scramble to pass when Pisel found Preston Turecek for a touchdown. The kick after failed but Deer Trail was on the scoreboard.

Eads then struck gold through the air when Rouse connected with Miller on 30 yard TD strike. Ramos was good on the extra point kick with Eads sitting on top 18-6.

Eads took advantage of a fumble recovery by Justin Lenox that led to another touchdown as the Eagles scored in three plays.

Weirich ran the ball for a touchdown on the first play but it was called back on a penalty.

After a five-yard run, Weirich broke a 29 yard run to the end zone. The kick by Ramson was good and Eads increased its lead to 26-6 with 4:44 left in the second quarter.

Possession went back and forth during the remainder of the quarter but no points were scored by either team.

Eads again took advantage of a turnover by Deer Trail to start the second half.

On the next play from scrimmage, Winder tallied on a 12 yard touchdown. Ramos missed the extra point as the score stood 32-6.

To add a little insult to injury, Deer Trail's next possession ended with three plays and were forced to punt.

The punt took an Eads bounce and went out of bounds on the DT 25.

Eads then called on Winder to run it in and Ramos kicked another one through the uprights. The Eagles was now sitting on a comfortable 40-6 advantage.

Deer Trail was unable to getting any going on offense as Eads defense pinned its ears back.

Ramos registered a tackle in the backfield for a loss. Miller and Ramos the combined to sack Haight in the backfield as he was running around the right side.

Deer Trail then attempted a double reverse in the end zone and the Eads' defenders were ready as both sides were covered and Weirich recorded his second safety to give the Eagles a 42-6 lead.

Eads failed to capitalize on the free kick and turned the ball back over on downs on the Deer Trail 15.

The Eads defense forced another Deer Trail turnover the very next play when Pisel completed a pass to Preston Turecek only to see it popped free on the tackle with Ramos on the fumble recover on the Deer Trail 20 yard line.

Eads pushed the ball forward on a few carries and Weirich scored from six yards out to make it 48-6. Deer Trail then turned the ball back over to Eads on downs in good field position.

On the first snap from center, an outstanding block from Kyle Crow allowed Winder to score on a 26 yard TD run. The kick by Ramos was good for a 56-6 lead.

With the big lead, it forced a running clock the entire fourth quarter.

The final scoring in the game came on an 18-yard TD strike from Pisel to Turecek.